AD/B747/31 - Aileron Control System - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, enacted by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, are comprehensive rules governing civil aviation safety. Specifically, Part 39 of these Regulations, which addresses airworthiness directives, aims to ensure that aircraft maintain their airworthiness and operational safety standards. One such directive, AD/B747/31, focuses on the Boeing 747 Series aeroplanes, mandating a modification to the aileron control system to prevent issues caused by ice accumulation in the wing gear wheel well area. This directive responds to the problem of binding in the aileron control system, which has been linked to numerous occurrences of operational difficulties. Compliance with this directive is mandatory, requiring the specified modification to be carried out within 3000 hours of time in service after 30 June 1983 for all relevant aircraft models. The policy objective is to enhance the safety and reliability of Boeing 747 aeroplanes by addressing a known vulnerability to ice-related system failures.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically Part 39 - 105, under the authority of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, mandate a series of airworthiness directives for Boeing 747 series aeroplanes, with AD/B747/31 addressing aileron control system modifications. This directive applies to all Boeing 747 models with serial numbers referenced in Boeing Service Bulletins (SB) 27-2065, 27-2095, 27-2161, and 51-2032. The purpose of these directives is to ensure compliance with safety standards by rectifying issues related to ice accumulation in the aileron control system, which can lead to binding and other operational hazards. Operators must adhere to the specified compliance timeline, which requires that the modifications be completed within 3000 hours of time in service after 30 June 1983. This directive is part of a broader safety framework, and while it is primarily concerned with a specific issue identified in certain Boeing 747 models, it is referenced in FAA AD 82-02-10, indicating a cross-jurisdictional alignment in addressing similar safety concerns.

Key Provisions

The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, particularly Part 39 - 105 under the Civil Aviation Safety Authority's Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, outlines specific requirements for Boeing 747 series aeroplanes. Section AD/B747/31 addresses modifications to the aileron control system (AD/B747/31). This directive applies to all model 747 aeroplanes with serial numbers referenced in Boeing Service Bulletins (SB) 27-2065, 27-2095, 27-2161, and 51-2032. The relevant documentation includes these Boeing Service Bulletins and FAA AD 82-02-10. Operators must ensure compliance with these directives, specifically requiring that the modifications be completed within 3000 hours of time in service following 30 June 1983, unless already accomplished. This directive is a response to multiple instances where ice accumulation in the aileron control system, specifically in the wing gear wheel well area, caused binding issues. Operators of Boeing 747 series aeroplanes must adhere to several obligations under these regulations. Primarily, they must ensure that the modifications to the aileron control system are performed within the specified timeframe. This involves reviewing the relevant Boeing Service Bulletins and FAA AD 82-02-10 to understand the precise nature of the required modifications. Operators need to keep meticulous records of when these modifications were carried out, ensuring they fall within the 3000 hours time in service window. Furthermore, operators must maintain compliance with all referenced service bulletins and airworthiness directives, which might involve additional checks or updates to the aircraft's maintenance logs. Failure to comply with the provisions outlined in AD/B747/31 can result in significant legal and operational consequences. Under the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, non-compliance with airworthiness directives can lead to enforcement actions by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). This may include fines, enforcement notices, or even the grounding of non-compliant aircraft. Such actions are designed to ensure the continued safety of the aircraft and its passengers. The severity of the penalties can vary depending on the nature and extent of the non-compliance, but they are intended to enforce strict adherence to safety standards. Operators must therefore take these directives seriously to avoid legal repercussions and ensure the safety of their operations.